Device for treating stupes and the like



Jan. 26, 1937. W, MYRON 2,068,692

DEVICE OR TREATING STUPES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. ll, 1933 A TTORNE Y Patented Jan., 26, 1937 orFicE DEVHCE FOR TREATNG STUPES AND THE LIKE Application August 11,

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of treating stupes and the like, and a device for the same.

The most common method of preparing a stupe or compress consists in dipping cloth or tow, or pledget of lint, or the like in warm water and then wringing it to a desired moisture content. I-Ieretoiore the only improvement in the above mentioned primitive method was to provide a receptacle or box filled with boiling water and to place the cloth into the water, and then of course to wring the cloth to obtain the desired degree of dampness. These old methods and the devices used in connection with the old Y methods had many disadvantages; outstanding among these disadvantages are two, namely the lack of sterilization and the loss of heat, both primarily due to the wringing operation which necessarily reduces the temperature of the stupe and also in the course or" manipulating it with hand, or with the wringer, whatever sterilizing eiiect the boiling Water might have had on the cloth is destroyed.

The primary object of this invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the old methods, and to prepare a stupe by subjecting cloth or the like to the action of steam at a sterilizing temperature, and in the absence of air, for a definite time to obtain the desired dampness, thereby obviating the use of boiling water and of wringing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device whereby cloth or the like can be heated, sterilized and moistened to a definite degree of dampness in one easy operation Without any danger of scalding the operator, means being provided in the device to form a tight, sealed inclosure, in which the cloth is supported in spaced relation to suitable steam inlets and outlets so as to be penetrated by steam, which has a higher temperature than boiling water; control means being provided to exhaust the air from the inclosure and from the cloth, and then to produce a flow of steam whereby a stupe of the usual size is heated and dampened in a relatively short time. For instance a stupe or compress of the maximum desired dampness can be obtained in my device in about two minutes. Stupes of lesser dampness, but fully sterilized, can4 be obtained by proportionally shorter periods of treatment in the inclosure. 4

A further object of the invention is to provide a so-called stripe box, wherein a stupe is produced by steam treatment, safety devices being provided on the box to lprevent escape of steam, and scalding of the operator.

1933, Serial No. 684,666

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which is adapted to heat and sterilize stupes as well, as adapted to sterilize any instruments or surgical appliances.

In this specification and the annexed drawing the invention is illustrated in the forms, which are at present preferred, since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such form, because it may be embodied in other forms; and it is also to be understood that in and by the claims following the description, it is desired to cover the invention in whatsoever form it may be embodied.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure l is a front view of my device showing the box partly in section and showing part of the inlet conduits.

Figure 2 is a plan View of my device, the cover being shown partly broken away to expose to View a portion of the tray and of the baiile.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of my device the section being taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side View of the box and cover, and the means for lifting the cover, the opened cover being indicated in broken lines.

Figure 5 is a fragmental sectional view of my device showing its arrangement for use with high pressure steam.

Figure 6 is a sectional plan view of one of the quick acting valves and its connection to the actuating rod.

Figure '7 is a, fragmental view of the pivot pin connecting the actuating rod to the valve operating arm, the pin being shown in elevation.

The method of preparing a stupe includes the placing preferably of folded cloth, or the like, into an inclosure, the exhausting of the air from the inclosure and the replacing of the air by a ow of steam through the inclosure. The ow of steam is so directed that it impinges on the cloth, and penetrates into the interstices of the cloth. The cloth is left in the inclosure for about two minutes, or less, the time being predetermined and in direct proportion with the required dampness of the stupe.

In carrying out my invention with respect to my device, I make use of a steam box, or receptacle 6, which has a bottom 1, a front 8, a rear- Wall 9, and sides IU and Il. The top of the box is open, and it has an enlarged ange l2 all around the edges thereof, in which is formed a groove I3, extended, all around in the flange YI2 to retain a packing Id therein. 'I'he box 6 is preferably supported on a pair of spaced wall brackets I6, which are secured to the wall in any suitable manner.

In the bottom l of the box 6 are a steam inlet I1, a steam outlet I8, and a vacuum break passage I9, arranged in a line on the transverse center line of the bottom 'I.

The box 6 can be covered by a cover 20, which is dished at 2l, and reinforced by ribs 22. The cover 29 is so disposed that the concave side of its dished portion 2I forms the inside of the cover. A pair of hinge-lugs 22 extend from the rear edge of the cover 29, so that the end portions of the lugs 22 extend downwardly and in parallel spaced relation to the outside of the rear wall 9. From the rear wall 9 extend bosses 23. Each boss 23 has bearings 24 therein, and a pin 26 is extended through each bearing 24 and the lug 22 at said bearing 24 to pivotally connect the cover 29 in place. Each pin 26 has a head on one end, and a cotter pin 2'I in the other end thereof to retain the pin 26 in place. Each boss 23 has an abutment shoulder 28 formed thereon, and the hinge lugs 22 on the cover 20 are so formed as to abut against and rest upon the respective shoulders 28 when the cover 28 is open, thereby to limit the rearward swing of the cover 29.

On one side of the cover 29 is an extension 29 which protrudes beyond the plane of the side II of the box 6. A link 39 is pivoted at one end to the extension 29, extends alongside the side II and is bent at its other end forwardly substantially at right angles and is pivoted to the end of a handle bar 3l. The handle bar 3I is fulcrumed intermediate its ends at 32 on the side II of the box 8. The fulcrum 32 being so located and the length of the link 39 and bar 3l are such that the handle bar 3I extends upwardly and forwardly alongside the side I I when the cover 29 is closed. By moving the forward end of the handle bar 3l downwardly the link 30 is pushed upwardly so as to turn the cover 29 to open position. When the cover 28 is fully opened the bent end of the link 39 is above the imaginary line between the extension 29 and the fulcrum 32 so as to prevent the closing of the cover 20 unless the handle bar 3l is turned.

The cover has a flange 33 extended from its inside face for engagement with the packing I4 in the flange I2 of the box 6. In order to seal the box 6, the cover is positively pressed in place. Ears it@ extend from a boss on the front edge of the cover 29, over the outside of the front 8. An engagement member, in the form of a roller 36 is mounted on a pin 37 between the ears 34 so that the axis of the roller 36 is at right angles to the plane of the front 8, and the roller 36 is spaced from the top of the saddle formed by the connected ears 34, thus forming a keeper wherein the bolt 38 of an eccentric latch 39 can be pressed. The latch 39 is pivoted at 49 on the front 8, and its handle portion is heavier than its bolt and is on one side from said pivot 4III, so that the latch 39 swings to disengage position by its own weight whenever it is released from the keeper. The bolt 38 is arcuate and is adapted to engage the top side of the roller 36 as the latch 39 is turned in clockwise direction, viewing Figure 1.

lt v is to be noted that the packing I4 is resiliently compressible and the pressure exerted by the latch bolt 38 on the roller 36 presses the ange 33 into the packing I4, thereby it accomplishes a tight seal all around the top of the box 6 and also tightly holds the cover 28 in closed position. To disengage the latch bolt 38 the latch 39 is turned in contra-clockwise direction viewing Figure 1, and it remains in disengaged position by reason of its own weight. As the packing I4 wears, the roller 36 can be replaced by a roller of larger diameter to compensate for the wear, assuring a tight seal as long as the packing I4 lasts.

On the edge of the dished portion of the cover 20, nearest to the rear wall 9 of the box 6 is a longitudinal trough 46 opened toward the dished portion of the cover 29 so as to cooperate therewith for collecting Icondensation therein. When the cover 26 is opened the trough 46 is opened upwardly. When the cover 29 is closed the trough 49 is opened in a half inverted position in the direction of the front 8 so as to return the condensed moisture into the box 6 adjacent the inside face ofthe rear wall 9.

The inside of the box 6 is arranged as follows: A perforated tray 4I, preferably made of screen is supported on lugs 42 in spaced relation above the bottom 'I. There .are a plurality of such lugs 42 extended from the front 8, rear wall 9, and sides IU and II inwardly of the box 6. A stupe 43 is placed on the top of the tray 4I. A balfle 44 is suitably xed into the box 6 along the entire length of the inside of the front 8. The baffle 44 is bent at a longitudinal edge thereof downwardly to the bottom l. The baffle 44 extends over the intake I'I so as to form an intake chamber 46. The top of the baffle 44 is perforated at 4l, while the bent side thereof is scalloped at 48 adjacent the bottom I. The portion 48 of the baffle immediately adjacent and above the inlet II has no perforations on it, hence the steam does not escape upwardly immediately as it enters the box 6 but it is distributed laterally in the intake chamber 46 before it rises in the box.

The outlet I8 is suitably connected to the usual suction device of the steam-circulation system, diagrammatically indicated, for the purpose of illustration, by a pump 49, in Figure 3. The outlet I8 in the bottom 'I is covered by a perforated disc 59 with scalloped sides, suitably secured to the bottom 'I.

In order to prevent injury by excessive pressure or vacuum, a pressure safety valve 5I, and a vacuum safety valve 5I are provided on the rear wall 9 of the box 6. The safety valves 5I and 5I are of the usual construction and are adapted to open respectively in the event of excessive pressure or vacuum in the box 6.

The vacuum break opening I9 is connected to atmosphere, as shown in Figure 2, when the device is used with low pressure steam, from two pounds to eight or nine pounds. But it is plugged when high pressure steam of about ten pounds or higher is used, as hereinafter described.

On the device shown in Figures 1 and 3, the flow through the inlet II, the outlet I8 and the vacuum break I9 is controlled by suitable quick operating valves 52, 53, and 54 respectively. For instance usual quick closing gate valves can be employed, which include a hollow casing 56, in which the passage 51 is controlled by a gate valve 53, which latter is moved sidewise into and out of the passage 5l by lever 55 and a pin 59. An arm 6I] has polygonal holes 6I in each end thereof. One of the holes 6I is engaged with a correspondingly polygonal end of the pin 59, the other hole 6| with a portion of a pivot pin 62, also of polygonal cross section. The pins 62 are pivotally secured in an actuating rod 55, which latter is slidably guided in a bracket S extended downwardly from the box 6. The rod 63 terminates at its forward end in a handle in front of and below the box 6.

It is to be noted that the gate valve 54 operates in opposite direction to the gate valves 52 and 53'so' that when the valves 52 and 53 are opened, the valve 54 is closed, and vice versa. Hence by pulling the rod 53 forwardly of the box 6, the inlet and outlet valves 52 and 53 are closed, and the vacuum break valve 55 is opened. In case of low pressure steam the inlet valve 52 is connected to the usual steam piping, the outlet valve 53 is connected to the suction pump 49, and the vacuum break valve d is connected to the atmosphere. A suitable main steam valve 5G controls the steam now toward the inlet valve 52.

In order to provide complete safeguard against scalding a spring i5 is connected to the rear end of the rod 53 and is so arranged as to normally urge the same toward intake closing position. The rod 53 has on its underside a notch 55" which is so arranged that it is aligned with a catch 55' of a tripping rod 65 when the rod 63 is pulled forwardly far enough to' open the intake valve 52. The tripping rod 65 isy held in brackets on the forward wall of the box 6 and is urged upwardly by a spring 65 between a collar G5 xed on the tripping rod 65 and the upper face, of one of its guide brackets. The upper end of the tripping rod 55 is enlarged into a head and extends in the pathV of the latch 39, so that when the latch 35 is turned in contra-clockwise direction, viewing Figure l, it trips the rod 65, and releases the catch 55 from the rod 63, thereby permitting the automatic closing of the intake valve 52 by the action of the spring i5 even before the latch bolt 38 is completely disengaged from the roller 36. Consequently the cover 2 can not open without automatically shutting off the steam from the interior of the box 6.

The embodiment shown in Figure 5 is the device in use with high pressure steam. The device in its general organization is the same as heretofore described, but the steam passage and flow is different. A vent hole 61 in the rear wall 9 of the box E above the position of the tray 4I and stupe 43, is shown plugged in Figure 2, in case of low pressure steam. However in the event high pressure steam is used the vent 61 is connected to a vent conduit and functions as a steam outlet. A suitable thermostatic trap 68, of the usual design is connected to the outlet valve 53 to collect condensation. The vacuum break I9 is plugged, or its valve 54 disconnected from the rod 63 so as to remain closed at all times. A suitable reducing valve 69 is connected in series with the intake valve 52, to reduce the steam pressure to about ten pounds or slightly higher.

A back pressure device is connected to the vent 67 and it consists of a suitable pipe coupling 70, across the passage 'il of which is fixedly held a disc 'l2 with a small orifice 'I3 in its center whereby a back pressure is created in the box with the attendant increase of temperature in the box.

In operation the stupe 43 is placed on the tray di. Then the cover 25 is closed by moving the free end of the handle 3l upwardly, and the cover 25 is drawn tight by turning the latchhSS in a clockwise direction viewing Figure 1. Then the main valve 5B is opened. The rod 63 is pulled forwardly, whereupon, the inlet and outlet valves 52 and 53 are opened. The air in the box at this time is practically cold, and the imperforate portion of the baiile 34 directs the steam sidewise instead of directly into the box, hence the suction through the outlet creates almost instant vacuum in the box 6. As the steam flowing through the inlet l'l fills the box and iiows to the outlet its heat reduces the vacuum and allows slower ow and expansion of the steam in the box. Due to the fact that both the inlet I1 and the outlet I8 are on the bottom, below the stupe d3, the condensation and heavier moist vapor remains closer to the bottom l, and the hotter and dryer steam rises toward the top into and through the interstices of the stupe 43. Thus the dampness of the stupe depends definitely on the length of time it is treated. In the beginning the stupe is primarily heated and slightly dampened, but the dampness increases in direct proportion with the period of time during which the stupe 43 is subjected to the action of the steam.

During all this operation the vacuum break valve 55 remains closed. After the stupe has been in the box 5 for a predetermined time, the rod 63 is pushed rearwardly, thereby it closes the steam inlet and outlet valves 52 and 53 and opens the vacuum break valve 54. rIhe steam remaining in the box 5 immediately escapes through the open valve 54. Then the cover 20 is opened, and the stupe i3 can be removed, ready for use, without any further handling or wringing.

In the event of the higher steam pressure device shown in Figure 5, after the closing of the cover 25, and after the rod 63 is pulled forwardly, the steam passes through the reducing valve 59 and through the inlet valve 52 into the steam chest 46, and into the box 6, then it is forced through the stupe i3 and out through the vent orice 73. The condensed steam escapes through the outlet valve 53 and the trap 68. After the required time the rod 63 is pushed rearwardly closing the inlet valve 52, and the steam remaining in the box 5 escapes through the vent orifice 13. Thereupon the cover 20 can be safely raised and the sterilized stupe d3, of the desired temperature and dampness can be removed and used without further handling.

Condensed moisture collects at the bottom 1 and is effectively drained, in all the embodiments, through the open sides of the outlet cover 50 and through the outlet I8.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described the combination with a box having an inlet for a heating medium and a cover opposite to the inlet adapted to be opened and closed at will, of a protective shield above a portion only of the bottom of the box around said inlet and being adapted to prevent direct rising of the heating medium opposite said inlet toward the cover so as to evenly discharge said heating medium over the lower portion of the box.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a box having an inlet for a heating medium, a valve mechanism to control the passage of said heating medium, and a cover on the box; of releasable means to fasten the cover in closed position, means to hold the valve mechanism open, and means actuated by the said fastening means as the latter are released to cause the closing of said valve mechanism.

3. In a device of the character described, the

combination with a box having an inlet for a heating medium, a valve mechanism to control the passage of said heating medium, and `a cover on the box; of a coacting latch and a keeper adapted to fasten the cover in closed position on the box, means to hold the valve mechanism in open position; and a mechanism adapted to be acted upon by the latch as the latch is unfastened so as to cause the closing of the valve mechanism.

4. In a device of the character described, the

combination with a box having an inlet for a heating medium, a valve mechanism to control the passage of said heating medium, and a cover on the box; of a coacting latch and keeper adapted to fasten the cover in closed position on the box, means to normally urge the valve mechanism to valve closing position, releasable means to .arrest the action of said urging means, and means coactng with the latch as the latch is unfastened to release said .arresting means and free the action of said urging means to close the valve.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a box having an inlet for a heating medium and a valve mechanism to control the flow of said medium, and a cover on the box; of a swingable latch on the box, a keeper on the cover to be engaged by the latch to fasten the cover in closed position, an actuating element whereby the valve is operated, resilient means to urge said element to cause the closing of the valve, a tripping member to hold the actuating member in valve opening position being adapted to be tripped by said latch as the latter is disengaged from said keeper so as to allow the closing of the valve.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a box having an inlet and an outlet for a heating medium, a valve mechanism to control said inlet and outlet, and a cover on the box; of means to fastenV the cover in closed position on the box, an actuatingY element to simultaneously operate the valve mechanism to open the inlet and close the outlet, means to move said element to cause the closing of the inlet and the opening of the outlet, a tripping element to arrest the action of said moving means so as to keep the inlet open and the outlet closed; said tripping element being so related to the fastening means that the tripping ele-k ment is tripped as the fastening means are released thereby causing the said moving means to automatically close the inlet and open said outlet.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with a box, a cover adapted to seal the box When the cover is closed, a steam inlet and a steam outlet, suction means connected to said outlet, means to break the vacuum in the box, of means to control the inlet, the outlet and the vacuum breaking means so as to simultaneously open the inlet and the outlet and close the vacuum breaking means, means to fasten the cover into closed position on the box, means to hold said control means in inlet opening position, and a tripping mechanism actuated by the fastening means as the latter are unfastened 'to release said holding means so as to cause the closing of the inlet and the outletY and the opening of the vacuum breaking means.

WILLIAM P. MYRON. 

